Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
Respite fostering children with disabilities
11 June 2026We are currently seeking compassionate and committed individuals to provide respite care for children with complex needs and disabilities. Our foster carers do an incredible job, and the support of respite carers is essential in helping them continue providing high-quality care while maintaining their own wellbeing and avoiding burnout. As you can appreciate, it can ...
Reading’s new Central Library opens on 18 June 2026
3 June 2026
Reading’s new Central Library opens on 18 June 2026 at the Civic Centre, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU With thousands of books, lots of work and study spaces and lots of places to plug in, as well as free wifi, and a great space for children, we are really excited to show you our new home – ...
Togetherness platform for Reading – online resources for families and free CPD for practitioners
3 June 2026
Wokingham, West Berkshire and Reading Councils have introduced Togetherness across Berkshire West through a jointly funded three‑year multi‑user licence. This provides free, unlimited access to a wide range of online resources for families, alongside free CPD‑accredited training for practitioners. What is Togetherness? Togetherness (formerly the Solihull Approach) is an evidence‑based programme that promotes emotional wellbeing, child development and positive family relationships. Used nationally ...
Reading Climate Festival 2026
3 June 2026
Two weeks of (mostly) FREE events to inspire a happier, healthier, more connected and climate-friendly Reading. There’s something here for everyone – nature walks, online talks & workshops, a community lunch with climate-friendly food and more! Explore the programme here Reading Climate Festival is part of our town’s response to the climate and nature crises. It’s a moment ...
Migrant Help – charity shop vouchers available
3 June 2026
Migrant Help currently have a batch of charity shop vouchers available that can be used by organisations supporting asylum seekers across London and the Southeast to purchase clothing for clients. Each voucher is worth £20 and must be spent in participating charity shops before 30 June 2026 (the clothing itself can be distributed after this date). ...
Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June 2026) has arrived! – A huge thank you to all of Reading’s amazing volunteers
31 May 2026
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. Across the country, volunteers play a vital role at the very heart of the community, and Reading is no exception. The town benefits from thousands of volunteers who freely give their time, talents and ...
Small Groups’ Forum July 2026 – Find the right volunteers, new BCF small grants, and more
21 May 2026Are you a small or new community group or charity? Would you like top tips on running a group, finding funding and the opportunity to network with other small groups? Join us for our next Small Groups’ Forum in July. We run three forums per year and the topics are chosen by small groups like yours. Theme ...
Volunteers’ Week 2026 is coming! Let us know your plans and share your celebrations
19 May 2026
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. This year’s celebrations will run from Monday, 1st June to Sunday, 7th June. RVA will be promoting the diverse range of opportunities available in the town throughout the week. What plans do you have to ...
Queen Victoria Fund Reading (QVFR) – deadline 29 June 2026
19 May 2026
The Queen Victoria Fund Reading (QVFR) has opened applications for its second round of funding for 2026 QVFR provides funds for public health initiatives that help combat health inequity. Organisations working within communities and neighbourhoods in the Reading Borough and Earley Town Council areas are eligible for funds to support their work. This might include perinatal inequalities, ...
Reading VCS Leaders – online
16 May 2026Reading Voluntary Sector Leaders Forum The Reading VCS Leaders Forum is for anyone in a leadership role within the Reading voluntary sector and committed to working collaboratively to support the development of a thriving voluntary sector. Please register to receive the meeting link, agenda and papers: Register on Eventbrite
Working Together to Keep Our Communities Safe
14 May 2026The event is being jointly hosted by Reading Borough Council, Reading Voluntary Action, ACRE and Thames Valley Police to bring together community leaders and representatives and hold collaborative conversations on the following themes: Strengthening community safety, cohesion and resilience Building trust and two-way communication between the community, local authority and police, including responses to incidents which impact the ...
Email scam warning – RVA ‘Distribution / Members’ list
6 May 2026Reading Voluntary Action is aware some people and organisations have recently received an email from one of a variety of @gmail.com email addresses containing an offer to sell a mailing list of RVA contacts. We would advise recipients to treat this email as a scam purporting to ‘sell’ the email addresses published with permission on the ...
Reading Children’s Festival 2026 – Volunteers Needed Saturday 9 May 2026, 11am-4pm
28 April 2026
We are looking for a team of volunteer stewards to support the Reading Borough Council Events Team to help welcome visitors and manage the visitor flow at this year’s Forbury Fiesta – a launch event for Reading Children’s Festival 2026. You may be assigned to a particular activity such as a workshop, or to a ...
Free Workshop – Navigating Bereavement
28 April 2026
Tuesday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May, 1:30pm – 3 pm Online: hosted on Zoom This workshop with Olga Zilberberg offers a comprehensive and compassionate four-week journey designed to help individuals navigate the complex landscape of loss. Each 90-minute session blends supportive frameworks to explore loss and provide participants with a versatile toolkit for understanding their unique grieving process. Sign ...
The Local Election Thursday 7 May – Important Deadlines and a list of accepted forms of photographic identification for voting
20 April 2026
The Local Election will be held on Thursday 7 May, but there are some other important dates you must know about too. Also, please refer to the attached image below for a list of accepted forms of photographic identification for voting. For more information and the full list of acceptable forms visit: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID Register to vote by Midnight ...
PACT’s Marathon in May Challenge
16 April 2026
Can you complete a marathon in a month? Marathon in May is a challenge anyone can do. The aim is to clock up the miles over the 31 days of May. Run, walk, hike, cycle, wheel, with children, with your dog, with friends or on your own; it’s your challenge, your way! Go as fast or ...
ONLINE Reading VCS Leaders
10 April 2026
Reading Voluntary Sector Leaders Forum The Reading VCS Leaders Forum is for anyone in a leadership role within the Reading voluntary sector and committed to working collaboratively to support the development of a thriving voluntary sector. The Agenda will include: Review of VCS representation on strategic Boards and Partnerships including opportunities to ensure the views of your organisation ...
The Rising Sun – Hub in our Pub – Free Space available for Community Groups on a Monday
1 April 2026
Mondays are about community, warmth, and belonging. This is the day our pub becomes a genuine local hub, not just a place to eat or drink. The Rising Sun is offering the pub space free of charge for any community-driven projects, charity events or groups (PTA, clubs, community meetings) Contact our Deputy Manager, David, to let us know ...
Safeguarding Adults Training for charities and groups -May 2026
31 March 2026
Does your charity offer services or activities to adults in Reading? If so, come along to this free training. (Please note we have a separate Safeguarding Children training session, see our training page). All charities, voluntary and community groups have a duty to keep their service users safe from harm. As most charities and community groups ...
Safeguarding Children Training for charities and groups – June 2026
31 March 2026Does your charity offer services or activities to children or young people in Reading? If so, come along to this free training. All charities, voluntary and community groups have a duty to keep their service users safe from harm. As most charities and community groups run through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, it is ...